Transformed faults occur when a plate of Earth's crust was moved from its original position and then folded or compressed.
The orientation of the fault determines the direction of plate movement.
If all of the fault segments are parallel (or "strike-slip"), then they represent active compressional forces.
However, if the fault segments are perpendicular (or "thrust"), then they represent active extensional forces.
The direction of plate motion can be easily determined by looking at the orientation of the fault segments.